Refuse loading system with removable can

Abstract

An intermediate refuse collection system includes a support structure, a removable collection bin coupled to the support structure, a refuse loading mechanism coupled to the support structure, and a control system. The support structure includes a base. The base is configured to couple with a lift of a refuse collection vehicle. The removable collection bin includes a polymeric material. The is operable to transfer refuse into the removable collection bin. The control system is configurable to operate the refuse loading mechanism. One or more power supply devices are coupled to the support structure and configured to supply power to the refuse loading mechanism.

1 . An intermediate refuse collection system, comprising:
 a support structure comprising a base, the base configured to couple with a lift of a refuse collection vehicle;   a removable collection bin coupled to the support structure, the removable collection bin comprising a polymeric material;   a refuse loading mechanism coupled to the support structure, the refuse loading mechanism operable to transfer refuse into the removable collection bin;   a control system coupled to the support structure and configurable to operate the refuse loading mechanism; and   one or more power supply devices coupled to the support structure and configured to supply power to the refuse loading mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The intermediate refuse collection system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the refuse loading mechanism comprises one or more electric drive units; and   at least one of the power supply devices comprises a battery configured to supply electric power to at least one of the electric drive units.   
     
     
         3 . The intermediate refuse collection system of  claim 1 , wherein the refuse loading mechanism is configured to lift a waste container and empty contents of the waste container into the removable collection bin. 
     
     
         4 . The intermediate refuse collection system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base comprises one or more pockets; and   each of at least two of the pockets is configured to receive a fork of the lift.   
     
     
         5 . The intermediate refuse collection system of  claim 1 , wherein the lift comprises a front-end loading arm assembly configured to empty contents of the removable collection bin into a vehicle container. 
     
     
         6 . The intermediate refuse collection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a propping device configured to raise at least a portion of the base off the ground when the base is resting on the ground. 
     
     
         7 . A method of collecting refuse, comprising:
 operating a refuse collection vehicle to engage a base of an intermediate refuse collection system with a lift of the refuse collection vehicle;   supplying electric power from the intermediate refuse collection system to a refuse a refuse loading mechanism of the intermediate refuse collection system; and   operating the refuse loading mechanism to load refuse into a removable collection bin coupled to the base.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the removable collection bin comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising operating the lift to transfer contents from the removable collection bin into a vehicle container. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising removing the removable collection bin from the base and replacing the removable collection bin with another collection bin. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising, before engaging the base with the lift, operating a propping device to prop at least a portion of the base above a ground surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 disengaging the base from the lift of the refuse collection vehicle.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, before disengaging the base from the lift, operating a propping device to prop at least a portion of the base above a ground surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, after disengaging the base from the lift, operating the refuse loading mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . An intermediate refuse collection system, comprising:
 a support structure comprising a base, the base configured to couple with a lift of a refuse collection vehicle;   a collection bin coupled to the support structure; and   a propping device configured to prop at least a portion of the base off the ground when the base is resting on the ground.   
     
     
         16 . The intermediate refuse collection system of  claim 15 , further comprising a propping device coupled to the base, wherein the propping device is operable by a user to raise at least a portion of the base off the ground. 
     
     
         17 . The intermediate refuse collection system of  claim 15 , wherein the propping device comprises one or more retractable support brackets. 
     
     
         18 . The intermediate refuse collection system of  claim 17 , further comprising a drive unit configured to move at least one of the one or more retractable support brackets. 
     
     
         19 . The intermediate refuse collection system of  claim 15 , wherein the propping device comprises one or more arms configured to rotate with respect to the base such that at least a portion of the base is raised off the ground. 
     
     
         20 . The intermediate refuse collection system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the base comprises one or more pockets; and   each of at least two of the pockets is configured to receive a fork of the lift.   
     
     
         21 . The intermediate refuse collection system of  claim 15 , wherein the lift comprises a front-end loading arm assembly configured to empty contents of the collection bin into a vehicle container. 
     
     
         22 . A method of engaging a lift of a refuse collection vehicle with an intermediate collection system, comprising:
 operating a propping device on coupled to a base of the intermediate collection system to raise at least a portion of the base off the ground; and   operating, while the propping device holds the at least a portion of the base off the ground, the refuse collection vehicle to engage the lift with the base.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising raising at least a portion of the base off the ground comprises inclining the base at an angle relative to the ground.